Neil seemed intent on picking a fight with Franzen and even removed the Red Wings forward’s helmet. The officials quickly got involved, preventing the incident from potentially escalating further between Neil and a player that returned from a concussion on Wednesday.

You can see what happened here:

Both players ended up receiving misconducts and Neil got roughing and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties thrown on top of that. Afterwards, Franzen was very open about his feelings regarding Neil.

“He usually shows up when the game is over and tries to be the hero,” Franzen said, per the Ottawa Citizen. “Puts his cape on and goes and flies out there.

“He doesn’t like to take heat from fans and coaches, he usually steps up when the game is over and shows he really fights hard.”

Senators coach Paul MacLean shrugged off the incident as just part of the game.

This was a tough loss for the Senators as they missed a critical opportunity to gain ground on Detroit in the race for a playoff spot. Ottawa is now five points shy of the Red Wings and the second Wild Card spot they possess.

I am a wings fan, but in Neil’s defense, if you’re healthy enough to be on the ice, don’t get mad if someone takes a shot at you.

Can’t treat a player different… Franzen DID slash the Ottawa defensemen in the back of the leg for no reason earlier that period. If you’re going to play the injury card, play clean yourself.

This is all classic Franzen though. Show up and have an impact for one game a month… then disappear. Let’s hope he really steps his game up for the rest of the year, but once a floater, always a floater.

Probably the dumbest thing I’ve read on this site. I’m very against arguing over the internet but you need to get your head out of your ass. Nobody with half a brain is going to fight someone after returning from a serious head injury. If you think part of hockey is dropping the gloves when the score is 6-1 and risking your mental health then you shouldn’t be a fan of this sport.

Neil used to be a very effective 3rd line player with an edge. But the game has passed him by and the only way he can stay employed is by pulling stuff like this.

kicksave1980 - Feb 28, 2014 at 9:38 AM

Maybe Neil shouldn’t have gone after Franzen, but him coming back from a concussion has nothing to do with it. It isn’t up to the players on other teams to be concerned for your safety. If you’re healthy enough to play, you’re playing the same game as everyone else on the ice.

evermench - Feb 28, 2014 at 9:40 AM

Chris Neil is a POS! Always has been. Always will be. Zero class and is a coward.

Not a fan of either team and have/had respect for Neil for his role on the team but he should get a game for that. It was pure bush league to go after a guy who just came back from a concussion who showed absolutely no desire to fight and I love fighting when it is warranted…

My point is as long as fighting is not eliminated you’re going to have guys like Neil who, according to jhaegs, is a chump. “The guy just flat out looks like there’s something not right in his head. He’s got a face built for mugshots…”

This disgusting display crosses the line between what is in the game and assault. Smashing a players head into the glass after removing his helmet forcefully is assault with intent to do bodily harm. If the NHL will not take care of the players on the ice I am sure the district attorney in Ottawa is already looking into this clear violation way past the rules of the game by Chris Neil.

Neil is joke just like Torres and Scott. He was after Franzen all game. I just wish we had more games against Ottawa…seems to be the only games in which Franzen wants to skate. prepare for him to go into a coma for the month of March. hopefully his next streaky performance comes in April

JoeAvg - Feb 28, 2014 at 12:52 PM

I want a forensic investigation on this and include everything about Neil’s past that proves his intent was to injure Franzen. I want to get garbage like this out of the league. How much will that cost me?

grumpyoleman - Feb 28, 2014 at 1:18 PM

Looked like Kneel was even considering a heat-butt for a second there.

I was more surprised to not see someone from the wings violently going after neil. It turned into a scrum but somebody on the wings should have sent a message that they wont tolerate that crap. I also dont get why Franzen was penalized, he didn’t do anything.

imgoingtowichita - Feb 28, 2014 at 2:49 PM

Tim caught the slash to the d that Neil sitting on the bench noticed. Being the ‘policeman’ on the roster Neil simply asked Franzen to answer for it. If Neil was a real douche he would have thrown a punch while Franzen had his hands down. I know that this view is the minority but it certainly could have been worse (Orpik/Thornton)

Capsfan – your skates can enter the offensive zone first as long as you have complete control of the puck and you are not putting another offensive player in ahead of the puck. It’s a good way to avoid the d’mans stick check.